General Culture:
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers sandy, acidic, organically rich soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Chinese dogwood is a small, deciduous, flowering tree or large multi-stemmed shrub which typically grows 15-30' tall with a vase-shaped habit in the early years, maturing to a rounded habit. As in the case of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida - C280), the showy parts of the Chinese dogwood "flower" (3-5" across) are the four white, petal-like, pointed bracts which surround the center cluster of insignificant, yellowish-green, true flowers. Bloom occurs in late spring (several weeks after flowering dogwood). Flowers are followed by berry-like fruits (to 1" in diameter) which mature to a pinkish red in summer and persist into fall. Fruits are edible, but are usually left for the birds. Dark green foliage turns reddish purple to scarlet in autumn. Var. chinensis is almost identical in appearance to the species except that its showy bracts are slightly larger than those of the species.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. This plant has better resistance to disease and better cold hardiness than flowering dogwood.
Uses:
A stunning flowering tree or large shrub with good fall color. Plant as a specimen or in small groupings on residential property around homes, near patios or in lawns. Also effective in shrub borders, woodland gardens, bird gardens or naturalized areas.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
More photos:
(3 ratings) --- 
